news stories Tagged “Advocate”
My journey as pastor at Four Corners UMC
February 21, 2017 / By Pastor David Rood
I remember the first day I walked into Four Corners UMC when the District Superintendent notified them that I was getting appointed to their church. I was greeted with very friendly smiles and welcomes, which is the way that I would expect to be welcomed at any church. We talked and they gave me a bulletin and they informed me of the way their service was laid out. We sing …more
Philadelphia UMC embraces creative fundraising
November 29, 2016 / By Beth Johnston, Philadelphia UMC
Editor’s Note: In 2015, Philadelphia UMC (located in the Northern Flow District) increased their Ministry Shares by 45 percent. In 2016, Philadelphia UMC has paid 100 percent of their Ministry Shares. The Philadelphia UMC is a small church composed mainly of people over 50 years young. Our local area is impoverished with no industry and few if any employment opportunities available locally. Our younger families have moved from the area to seek employment …more
From the Advocate: Why I chose to volunteer at the Skye Farm Camp & Retreat Center
May 4, 2016 / By BJ Stewart
For the first 15 years of our marriage, I heard countless stories about the Skye Farm Camp & Retreat Center; my husband attended throughout his childhood and loved it. Then he had the opportunity to volunteer; he started out as a counselor and then transitioned to directing audio-visual – first photography and then branching to more AV, including computer use. Time marched on, until an Annual Conference session one year when …more
From the Advocate: Why I chose to donate to the Skye Farm Camp & Retreat Center
May 4, 2016 / By Lauri Nair
I loved the Skye Farm Camp & Retreat Center from the moment I first set foot on the property in 1974. I grew up in a family where we spent lots of time in the woods on weekends and vacations in rustic cabins in Canada. I love the outdoors, especially mountains and lakes. I enjoy swimming, fishing, and boating. I feel especially close to God in that environment. As a …more
From the Advocate: Why I chose to donate to the Casowasco Camp & Retreat Center
May 4, 2016 / By Peg Shields
In the mid-1950s, fellow Carnegie Mellon University student Bob Shields and I joined other Methodists from the Northeastern Jurisdiction for a conference in a remote area of Central New York. We had never heard of “Casowasco on Owasco Lake.” During that first week, I had a “mountaintop experience ... a recommitment of my religious faith.” Bob and I were married after graduation. We began our ongoing …more
From the Advocate: Why camp? The question should be: Why not camp?
May 4, 2016 / By Mike Huber
Over my 47 years of life I have seen numerous examples of lives transformed by experiences at a camp. I was a family camper at Aldersgate and Casowasco. I was a summer staff member at two Mennonite camps while in college; and as a professional camp and retreat staff member, I have listened to, prayed with and walked with many who, through the transformative power of Christ have been renewed and …more
From the Advocate: Summer camp: A rare opportunity for underprivileged youth
May 4, 2016 / By Anita Leitgeb
It continues to be a privilege to partner with the Upper New York Conference of The United Methodist Church Camp & Retreat Ministries (CRM) to provide summer camp opportunities for children served by the Rescue Mission in Syracuse, Auburn, Binghamton, and Ithaca. Summer camp provides a much-needed respite from the many challenges these children face daily. It’s an opportunity for them to be a kid for a …more
From the Advocate: Aldersgate Camp & Retreat Center a family affair for the Mantles
May 4, 2016 / By Jennie Mantle
John and I grew up in The United Methodist Church, so it seems like camp has always existed. His family – including his grandfather, the Rev. Miles Hutchinson – encouraged attendance, so John was at camp every year from the time he was eligible at 10 years old until he was 17, the summer between his junior and senior years of high school. John looks back at it now as “a …more
From the Advocate: God uses camp staff and campers to teach life lessons
May 4, 2016 / By the Rev. Nancy Adams
My first experience at the Sky Lake Camp & Retreat Center was as a camper when I was 12 years old. It was the first time I had ever been away from my family and was not at least with a grandparent. I went with a friend, although he was in a different cabin/family group. I had a great time! Our cabin challenged another cabin to a canoe race, and …more
From the Advocate: Camp scholarships a priority for Sherburne First UMC
May 4, 2016 / By Terry McNeil
Over the years, I have personally witnessed many youth – including my two daughters – have great experiences and “God moments” from attending camps of the Upper New York Conference. The Sherburne First United Methodist Church is located in a small, rural village in Central New York. We have on average 40 to 50 people in attendance weekly for Sunday worship. We are proud to say we sent eight youth …more